Studio: international art (90.1925)

FITTLEWORTH (SUSSEX)

FITTLEWORTH (Sussex).—One of the
problems of art is to discover the lowest
common denominator of truth—the simpli-
fication of various details into a single
harmonious form. The effort to come at
this inherent simplicity is the key to the
landscape paintings of Mr. P. H. Padwick.
He endeavours continually to eliminate the
non-essential, and by so doing to bring out
the full breadth and completeness of
general effect. He treats a landscape with
severity, as a solid, thus providing com-
positions manly and robust. The result is
invariably distinguished though in some
cases the colouring, pressed into service to
emphasise the solidity of form, appears a
little sombre. One would say that Mr.
Padwick has been influenced by Crome.
Moonrise on the Yare particularly must
have given him inspiration. That his free

and virile handling produces the curiously
faithful result it does testifies to an excel-
lence of the selective faculty distinctly
reminiscent of the old master. 0 0

His Southampton Dock with its little
moored tugs is a good illustration of his
truth to effect, and his Shoreham, too,
shows on what a firm construction he
builds. Typical examples of his work may
be seen this year at Wembley, and at the
Royal Academy. We reproduce The Sussex
Weald, another typical example in which
the sweep of the undulating country is ren-
dered with great success. 000

Restful and strong, Mr. Padwick's land-
scapes are entirely English—racy of the soiL
There is no foreign influence to be detected
in them. Their native character contri-
butes to one's appreciation of their high
merits. 0000a

54

"SUSSEX WEALD'"
BY P. H. PADWICK